Allianz
Insurer regionalisation: Spreading your wings
A number of industry players have recently bucked the trend of rationalising, to open new regional bases. Is localism a pasing fad or here to stay?
Rehabilitation: Providing the carrot
While the use of rehabilitation has made great strides in the past few years, is a more co-ordinated approach with tangible incentives needed?
The challenge of life sciences
Mid-sized life sciences firms offer an attractive opportunity for insurers in Europe with many entering the market. Yet as Francesca Nyman reports litigation and legislation make this a challenging market too.
Groupama CEO Azéma sacked after Fitch and S&P action
A senior rating analyst has played down fears a raft of major European insurers could be on the end of downgrades in the wake of the European Union debt crisis.
Allianz celebrates legal partnership
Allianz Legal Protection has celebrated its 25th anniversary and has placed more than £1m business with specialist solicitors Roberts Jackson through the first year of partnership.
Allianz welcomes EU debt crisis agreement
Allianz has welcomed the European Union agreement in Brussels to solve the debt crisis in Europe.
Allianz refreshes fleet products
Following independent research with brokers and customers, Allianz said it has introduced new and improved motor fleet products to clearly separate small fleet, cover for clients with between five and 15 vehicles, and motor fleet cover for mid to large…
Broking supplement - Price promises: Love it or hate it
While the price promise bandwagon is seen by some as a valuable marketing tool, to others it is merely ‘dumbing down’ the industry
Aviva to axe 950 jobs as Dublin-based operation set to be dismantled
The decision to dismantle Aviva’s Dublin-based European holding company with the loss of up to 950 jobs has been blamed on “economic and regulatory burdens”.
Market moves: All change at Zurich and Willis
Following a slow period, large insurers made a number of key appointments this week, including major moves at Zurich, Allianz and RSA.
Rating factors - Age: Age-old dilemma
After losing the battle to use gender as a rating factor, could the insurance industry be facing a new threat as age falls under the spotlight?
UK motor insurers cough up for PPO
Insurers are seeing a steady rise in demand for periodic payment orders, backing the findings of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
Ruling puts paid to ‘cash-cow’ legal expenses insurers
A test case in the High Court has opened up the possibility of legal expenses policyholders choosing their own solicitors.
Global insurers restricted in Ireland after downgrade
Allianz, Aviva and RSA Insurance have been restricted from providing cover for Irish state companies because Ireland has been demoted by credit rating agencies.
Zurich hits Allianz for SME underwriter
Zurich’s has appointed Allianz’s SME underwriter manager Russell Corbould-Warren to the newly created role of head of SME underwriting.
Flood effects aggravated by insufficient investment in preventative measures
Although floods occur more frequently than any other natural disaster worldwide, the risk they pose is often aggravated by human activity, according to a report by Allianz.
Penny Black’s insurance week
Globetrotting Penny was expecting to see many things on her recent holiday to Berlin — the Reichstag; the Brandenburg Gate and the Holocaust Memorial Museum — but what she was not expecting was a rather fancy-looking Allianz building right in the middle…
Claims event: Record unemployment could boost interest in industry
The UK’s record level of unemployment could provide a recruitment opportunity for the insurance claims sector, Aviva technical claims manager Tim Andrews suggested.
Claims event: Seddon: social media use is ‘bonkers’
Using social media in claims handling is “bonkers” and companies risk “shooting themselves in the foot” if they embrace Facebook and Twitter, the insurance industry has been warned.
News analysis: Call for mandatory sprinkler systems reignited by Dunelm Mill fire
On 6 October 2011, local fire fighters lamented the absence of sprinklers in a Dunelm Mill store that suffered a major blaze on the Orchard Retail Park in Willenhall, Coventry.
Broker report reveals Aviva, Chartis and RSA drop in underwriting service
Insurers must do more to boost satisfaction among brokers, according to a Brokerbility survey that suggested Axa is currently the only firm performing above the 80% approval benchmark.
Climate change: A changing environment
With insurers rushing to provide environmental cover, how are they performing themselves in the climate change stakes?
European insurers vie for KBC's Polish Warta
Several European insurers are believed to be in the running to acquire Polish insurance company Warta from Belgium's KBC, according to reports from Polish financial daily, Parkiet.
Axa and Generali in running for HSBC non-life book
European insurers Axa SA and Assicurazioni Generali SpA are thought to have submitted first-round bids for HSBC's non-life insurance business in a deal worth up to $1bn (€728m), Reuters has reported.